Curating Large Skeletal Collections: An Example from the Ancient Maya Site of Copán, Honduras

Poor curation practices for skeletal remains pose significant risks to the integrity of archaeological collections, as demonstrated by a large Maya skeletal collection from Copán, Honduras. The study highlights that human remains often receive inadequate storage and conservation, sometimes being treated like more robust artifacts, which can lead to irreversible damage. Based on observations from this subtropical Maya region, the article provides critical guidelines and recommendations for proper skeletal curation, emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of bioarchaeologists in preserving these delicate materials for future research.

Miller Wolf, K. A. (2019). Curating Large Skeletal Collections: An Example from the Ancient Maya Site of Copán, Honduras. Advances in Archaeological Practice, 7(1), 30–39. https://doi.org/10.1017/aap.2018.46